Alleluia, Christ is Risen! Happy Easter!

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Alleluia Christ is Risen!

On this Easter Day when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, may you know and experience His redeeming love.

A very Happy Easter to you all, Rector Sue

Here are some images (click on the images to enlarge) taken by John Lambton of our Easter Vigil service at which the exsultet hymn of praise was sung by our Deacon Bryony and the Paschal Candle blessed. Many thanks to Thelma Steel for decorating our candle so beautifully.

Bryony sings the exsultet

Bryony sings the exsultet

Crowds are moved as they walk with Jesus in Houghton Passion Play

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Houghton Passion Play took place on Good Friday at the evocative location of the Hillside Cemetery. Despite the rain, in great British style, a good crowd gathered to walk with Jesus through his last moments from Gethsemane to Golgotha.

Jesus dies

Jesus dies

Rector Sue Pinnington said:

“People were incredibly moved and it was almost as if in some strange way that the dark and sombre day added and heightened the tension of the story being told.

We were committed to doing it outside. There were about 150 people there. Some people brought umbrellas and in that typically British fashion just got on with it.”

A spectator, Victoria Halpin said: “It was an excellent performance. I really enjoyed it all, even in the rain!”

John Vilaseca Bruch, a trainee priest on placement with us played the role of Jesus. Rector Sue said of him: “John was superb and he really brought something very special to the portrayal. It truly brought out the nature of the suffering that Christ must have gone through.”

A choir performed the songs written by parishioner Stuart Clappison and the audience sang along with the refrain:

Help us to see that what you did long ago

was for all, you and me – that we might know

how great is your love, your mercy and grace.

Can we live in your ways ’till we meet face to face?

Help us to know that your Spirit is here.

Open our hearts and cast off all fear.

We must loosen the chains that bind us today

and carry our cross in your humble way.

A very big thank you to everyone who helped make the play such a success, from those who provided the sound, the musicians, the tents, to the council, the local police and all the wonderful volunteers who stewarded, performed and assisted in all kinds of ways. It wouldn’t have happened without everyone’s commitment, thank you.

The play has been reported on in the Northern Echo.

View the images below to follow the stations of the cross as portrayed in the Passion Play.

Final rehearsal for Houghton Passion Play – join us this Friday at 12noon

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We had our final rehearsal for Houghton Passion Play which will take place this Good Friday at 12noon in the Hillside Cemetery. Be sure to get to the Broadway from 10.30am and take the free shuttle bus for this incredible unique event. The singers are sounding great and John, our student playing Jesus is praying for warmer weather!

See you on Friday!

Jesus is crucified

Jesus is crucified

Palm Sunday Procession 2015

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We escaped the forecast rain for our Palm Sunday procession this morning complete with our own home made palm crosses. The service began as is traditional in Houghton in Rectory Park where the palm crosses were blessed and then we were accompanied by a band as we processed into church.

Sometimes they strew His way,
And His sweet praises sing;
Resounding all the day
Hosannas to their King:
Then “Crucify!”
is all their breath,
And for His death
they thirst and cry.

Here are some images from the workshop to make the palm crosses and the procession held today marking the beginning of Holy Week. View more pictures on Facebook here.

Be sure to join us for all the other services of Holy Week, click here for details.

Palm Sunday procession

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Making Palm Crosses

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Houghton Passion Play 2015 – essential information

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The Houghton-­le-­Spring Passion Play will be performed in the evocative location of the Houghton Hillside Cemetery at noon on Good Friday 3rd April. The play set in modern times in a “CNN news” reporting style and using music composed by parishioner Stuart Clappison is set to move hearts and minds for the second time in the open air. The audience becomes the crowd in this performance as the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and execution is brought to life as the local actors weave through the cemetery depicting the stations of the cross.

The Rector of Houghton, Rev’d Canon Sue Pinnington said:

“this is the eleventh time this play has been performed in Houghton and just the second time we have used the Hillside Cemetery. Being outside adds a different dimension to the experience and enables us to present the Passion of Christ to a whole new audience. We’re excited to be able to bring the good news of Jesus out of church and into the open for all to see.”

A free shuttle bus will take spectators from the Broadway in front of St Michael and All Angels church up to the cemetery (please note that there is no on-­street parking at the venue).

This year a trainee priest, John Vilaseca Bruch, will be playing the part of Jesus, he said,

“I am honoured to be playing this role in the play. I am sure it will bring the story of the Passion of Christ alive for me in a very personal way. I hope our play will help people to put themselves into the story and experience its power.”

This free event is unique in the area and promises to be a moving experience for all who attend.

To find out how to get to Hillside Cemetery and for information on facilities available, please click here.

Here are some images of the play from 2012:

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Notes for editors:

The event is free admission. No on-­street parking at the venue. A free mini bus shuttle will take spectators to the Hillside Cemetery from the Broadway: DH4 4DN. More information here.

Mothering Sunday 2015 – may you know the nurturing love of God

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Here are some photos from our wonderful Mothering Sunday Eucharist this morning.

We also raised money for the Make a Mother’s Day appeal from the Mothers’ Union by raffling a simnel cake made by Pauline Coulson. You can donate to the appeal here.

A prayer for Mothering Sunday:

May God, who gave birth to all creation, bless us:
may God, who became incarnate by an earthly mother, bless us:
may God, who broods as a mother over her children, bless us.
May almighty God bless us, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.
Amen

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Plaque unveiled at Houghton Hall – a tribute to WWI 160th Wearside Brigade

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A blue plaque was unveiled by the Mayor of Sunderland today at Houghton Hall to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the 160th Wearside Brigade who were recruited for the First World War on this day a hundred years ago and had their HQ in Houghton. The overwhelming majority of the new recruits, including the officers, hailed from Sunderland, Wearside and the surrounding districts including Whitburn, Seaham and Gateshead. These men came from all walks of life, “from the privileged well educated families of rich industrialists, to the poorest labourers that worked in the mines and shipyards.” This brigade went on to serve in some of the decisive battles of the First World War including Passchendaele. This new plaque is a tribute to their sacrifice and reads:

The new plaque160th (Wearside) Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Houghton Hall was the original HQ of the Brigade and home for the initial 750 locally raised volunteers in 1915. The brigade served with distinction in many famous battles of the First World War.

Lest we forget.

At the unveiling

A good crowd of local dignitaries, the author of a history of the Brigade Phil Adams, servicemen and relatives of the soldiers of the Brigade gathered to watch the unveiling and then enjoyed some light refreshments at the Kepier Hall where an extensive exhibition was on display about the First World War. Here are some of the images from the exhibition:

Houghton Open-Air Passion Play 2015

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This year we are bringing back our open-air performance of the Passion of Christ (last shown in 2012). The Passion Play is an outdoor production, held at the Hillside Cemetery with contemporary music by Stuart Clappison and in the style of a modern TV News Production: CNN Houghton-style.  This modern take on the events of Good Friday loses none of the power and profundity of Christ’s final 24 hours. Everyone who attends gets drawn into the action because the audience becomes the crowd walking alongside Christ to his Crucifixion.

Please do make it a priority to come along this Good Friday 3rd April at 12 noon: you will not regret it.

A free shuttle bus will take spectators up to the cemetery from the Broadway (DH4 4DN) in Houghton-le-Spring.

If you are interested in taking part in the play or helping with the organisation of this big event, please contact us.

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Celebrating Bernard Gilpin (1517-1583) – Apostle of the North and Rector of Houghton-le-Spring

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Today we celebrated our patron and former rector of Houghton Bernard Gilpin with a festive eucharist and a parish meal provided by the Next 900 Team.

Here is the collect (prayer) for today:

God of holiness, your glory is proclaimed in every age; as we rejoice in the faith of Bernard Gilpin inspire us to follow his example of generosity, scholarship and integrity through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

In her sermon the Rector praised all the unsung ‘Bernard Gilpins’ that throughout history have acted as the grit in the oyster to bring about change in the world. May we continue to follow Gilpin’s example in preaching the Gospel, helping the poor and challenging injustice.

The tomb of Bernard Gilpin decorated with greenery for his feast day.

The tomb of Bernard Gilpin decorated with greenery for his feast day.

Bernard Gilpin as depicted in our East Window

Bernard Gilpin as depicted in our East Window

Bernard Gilpin in our great West Window

Bernard Gilpin in our great West Window